Clarity.

 

When Tim came home last night he said raising chickens is the gateway "drug" to homesteading. I couldn't agree more because all I can think about is getting bee hives next spring, a dairy cow for milking and also some cattle to raise our own meat. Oh and sheep, goats and pigs are a hazy pipe dream too. And all this before we've even collected a single egg from My Lovelies. A little land and total commitment are the only two obstacles standing in our way. Again...

...my farmer is showing. 

Morning Solitude.

(this morning's quiet=baked banana bread)

My morning routine here at The Hut has changed since we've become pet owners. Izzy is ready to be let out somewhere between 5:30 and 6:00. My lovelies need to stretch their wings and catch those worms come sunrise. I have to say, getting up at sunrise has always had a romantic pull on me. Those early morning feedings with My Littles in years past were so peaceful and quiet. I miss those mornings and sweet snuggles but now I crave a little early morning solace for myself. To start my day with a cool run after attending to the pets, to come home to a sleepy house and start my coffee, unload the dishwasher in silence and on my own time. These tasks/chores wake me up excited for a new quiet morning. When The Littles wake up, I am fresh and happy, ready to spend the day with them. Some days I hobble sleepily back to bed after letting out PUG and the chickens and while I'm sure I've needed the sleep, I spend the rest of the day wishing I had been up with the sun. 

Oh, and the peach pie? Just like my Mom used to make it...delicious.

A Recipe For The Weekend.

Hello Dear Hutters. Aren't you ready for the weekend? I surely am. I hope to get a lot done here at home and yet I hope to do nothing at all (not my personality, so highly unlikely). On tap for this weekend; yard work and new larger garden planning, reconfigure chicken/yard situation (my dad's dog Mollie broke into the nest box the other night and now PUG is starting to chase my lovelies too...ugh),
make this recipe

which I found on my camera roll twice and weeks apart, can pickled jalapenos-these babies take tacos, burgers and hot dogs to a higher level of enjoyment and have dinner tonight at a new friend's house (I made a fresh peach crumble pie).
I had planned on showing you a sneak peek at my kitchen today but I am waiting on an essential custom wood trim piece from local craftsman so this is my hold-up. I'll likely have everything done by next week. 
Whatever it is you are up to this weekend, I wish you happy.

p.s.

I can't stop thinking about this tree in a friend's backyard. Giant Sequoia=Nature's way of bragging.

I went to see Penny in my old space on Main today. It felt good to see her in this space she has so lovingly cared for since she took it over. It is perfect and things couldn't have worked out better.

Magic.

Eva and I met up at Tallac Beach again yesterday. It was overcast and cooler but the light from the clouds and expansive sky was magical. Very few people played on the beach and we felt like we had the place to ourselves...

...except we didn't. Eva spotted something rare and amazing across the beach: A Bald Eagle. We walked down the beach to get a better view of this magnificent bird hunting from atop this perch. We watched him and he watched us and also the meadow behind because after we gave a good gawk in amazement at him, he took off soaring into the field and triumphantly caught his lunch.



Dress Up Chicks.

Tim's Mom stayed the weekend with us, we had such a fun visit! On Saturday morning, she told The Little Girls how she and her sister used to dress up their bantam chickens in dolly clothes when they were Little Girls growing up is rural Australia. My Little Girls wasted no time. They promptly ran to the toy box to pick out dolly clothes, blankets, jewelry and their baby carriages, then ran out to the garden to catch Isabella and fix her up.

And Ginger too.

Just in case you ever thought my comment previously about us having a "farm to table experience" meant I intended to raise these chickens as meat or table birds let me just clear up that confusion right now. These Lovelies are our pets. The Little Girls have named them (Almond Cake, Alma, Ginger, Sofia, Beatrice, Gracie, Wrenna and Isabella) and we play with them daily. They will grow old and gray with us. We only intend on eating their precious buttery eggs.

Dirty Secrets And Time Machines.

Here's the dirty secret...my oven. Until 5:30 this morning it was disgusting. I haven't cleaned it in an embarrassingly long time. I'm sorry if you've ever witnessed my dirty oven (Jenni, so so sorry!) but you know what I am realizing? My best cleaning takes place after company leaves. Maybe because I try to imagine what my house looks like through the company's eyes? I don't know why but listen, if you ever come stay with me and you are worried about cleanliness, come directly after I've already had company over. Maybe give me a day or two in between, it's your best bet. I will likely be frazzled and not making much sense but the coffee will be good and your surroundings, tidy (again, Jenni I apologize for the em...mess).
I've made several sizable mistakes with our kitchen makeover. Ugh. Just ugh. Two of those mistakes I made because I ignored the feeling I should wait or stop. Both times I was incredibly tired and in a hurry to reach an end point and in each situation something crucial to the project broke. Immediately after the smash and shatter I screamed in horror, berated myself and intensely desired a time machine to go back and wait or stop before the crisis. I always wish for a time machine, always.

This photo has nothing to do with anything, just Littles playing at a cool light-table at the library.

Two prints I picked up at the thrift store this morning for a $1.50.

I received a REAL letter in the mail today from Faith. I'm going to frame it. Was there a time when a letter was less personal than a phone call? If so, I am here to tell you things aren't always what they seem. This handwritten note was more touching than any phone call I've received in a measurable amount of time.

Happy Weekend.

Botting Family Weekend.

We spent the weekend at Lake Tahoe with Tim's parents and his sister's family. It was a rare but much needed time for us to spend together and reconnect. I am filled with gratitude for those precious days the Cousies spent playing "Let's Pretend...".

Celebrate!

Hutters, 

This is Goo, now two. Happy Birthday my boy.

Mini-Break.

We are in Tahoe with Eva and her Littles for a few days. Building forts in the sand, swimming in the lake, eating ice cream and playing Hide & Seek have never felt more like Summertime.

Collecting.

Here are a few treasures I found while thrift shopping this last weekend. There is the BEST chain of second hand stores in our area, I dare not share the names because at my core I am a seriously competitive thrift shopper. I may have a problem... There is always a fantastic supply of well crafted old furniture ready for a new life, artwork, antiques and collectibles.

I love this little wood box in chevron pattern, $1.

A collection of wooden spoons  25 or 50 cents each. 

And milk glass, my favorite. All these vases were from one location. $2 a piece. FYI, I've seen the top left two vases re-purposed as candle holders at a Sacramento Boutique for $38. 

Simple Supper.

Last month I tried this new-to-me recipe; One-Pan Pasta. It is genius and delicious and ANYONE can make it. It currently is on our weekly dinner list here at The Hut. I used Angel Hair Pasta but I'm sure you can use any other regular variety though I don't recommend using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta here. The recipe is here but this is how I make it.

Ingredients:
half package Angel Hair Pasta
1 tomato chopped (I've also used a drained can of petite diced tomatoes, it works too)
1/4 chopped onion
3 cloves of garlic, minced
small handful basil leaves, chopped
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
dash of red pepper flakes
2 T olive oil
4 1/2 cups water

Boil all ingredients in a large skillet, turning ingredients as the pasta cooks about 8 minutes or when liquid is almost evaporated. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Oh...and the clean up after this meal is a dream, One Pan!